"We have three defibrillators on site, thankfully they're not used that often albeit they're there if necessary, and it helped to save Kevin's life.

Mr Keenan described the footballer as "an absolute gentleman" and said his thoughts were with him and his family.

He said: "It has come as an awful shock, in the game of sport this is happening a lot. Kevin is an ambassador for his club, and an ambassador for his community."

Lavey GAA also issued a statement asking people to keep the player in their thoughts.

It said: "On behalf of the club officers, management, players and supporters of Lavey GAA, we would like to express our best wishes to our senior football club captain, Kevin McCloy, his wife and family.